Amanda PhillipsCosta Rica
There are some parts of the world where you can just tell Mother Nature was having a good day when she created them. Costa Rica is one of these places. With rainforests, pristine beaches, beautiful blue waters, volcanoes, hot springs and exotic wildlife, it is a destination for travellers who like to experience nature at its finest. There’s a lot of natural beauty to admire while in Costa Rica and you’ll find it around every corner, but the following three places are just a notch above the rest and will take your breath away.
Tortuguero National Park
If you need any proof that Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast is a must-see, it’s that it remains one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica despite only being accessible by boat or plane. There must be something beautiful lying within its grounds that encourages visitors to make the journey. It’s probably a lot to do with the extensive biodiversity that exists within the park: beaches, rainforests, swamps and lagoons are all natural wonders you can find here.
Arenal Volcano & Tabacón Hot Springs
There are seven historically active volcanoes recorded in Costa Rica, with Arenal Volcano in the west being the youngest and most active. The national park it is located in is also home to Chato – a volcano whose crater contains a lagoon. The nearby natural Tabacon Hot Springs also come extremely recommended by travellers.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Over on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is a national park that has been listed as one of the most beautiful in the world by Forbes magazine. The first thing that draws you in is the sandy white beaches that dip into water containing stunning coral reefs and 12 small isles. The park is located within a tropical forest and evergreen plants border the beach so visitors don’t have to walk far to explore the eclectic biodiversity. Keen hikers can also head off on one of the official hiking trails.
Costa Rica is a beautiful country, and is also one of Latin America’s smaller nations so it’s not hard to fit a lot of sights into one trip. Barrhead Travel currently has a Costa Rica organised tour running throughout 2016 to help you see everything above (and much more) during an 8 night stay.